MU official says Big 12 exit fee is reasonable

Missouri associate athletic director Tim Hickman said last night that the university's $12.4 million exit fee for leaving the Big 12 Conference is "fair and reasonable."

Normally, MU receives three payments per year from the Big 12 — in December, mid-spring and at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. That money will be withheld this fiscal year.

"A lot of people imagine us writing a $12.4 million check," Hickman said. "I wish I could write one that big. What will happen is we just won't receive $12.4 million of revenue we would have otherwise received, which will put our operating budget into a deficit. So we'll just carry that balance forward and pay it off over the next few years, totally out of only our funds."

Hickman said the plan is to pay off the debt in seven years or less.

The athletic department's master plan for facility improvements won't be hurt by the exit fee. MU is emailing surveys to alumni and fans to gauge their interest in the premium seats that will be the main feature of the proposed addition to the east side of Memorial Stadium. The questionnaire asks fans about their interest in club seats, loge boxes and luxury suites.

Hickman said donors have responded to Missouri's move to the Southeastern Conference.

"I don't know that we have anything concrete yet to mention, but I know we have a lot of peaked interest and a lot of expression of interest from key folks and donors," he said. "We were talking about the master plan, and there's some folks excited about those opportunities. I think you'll see that come to fruition shortly, as well."

Coach Frank Haith went with his usual starting lineup, which includes sophomore Phil Pressey, rather than an all-senior starting five.

The game was too close to give the senior reserves extended playing time, but Jones, Rosburg and Sutton did get in the game for the final three seconds.

In a new twist, the seniors took the microphone and addressed the crowd after the game. After the seniors finished their brief speeches, fan favorite Moore climbed into the student section, as is his custom after big victories. English threw his shoes into the student section.

"That was very well-calculated," English said. "I didn't know whether to leave my shoes at halfcourt, kiss the floor or toss them into the student section. I chose to chuck 'em, because if I left 'em at center court, the janitors would have come and swept them up."

TALE OF TWO HALVES: In the first half, Iowa State forward Royce White compiled 14 points, six assists and only one turnover. White had made only 2 of 7 3-pointers all season entering the game but hit both 3s he tried in the first half.

"At halftime we talked, and he asked me if I liked his 3s," English said.

White was quiet in the second half, finishing the game with 20 points, nine assists and five turnovers. He missed the two 3-pointers he tried after intermission.

"We were changing guys, putting different guys on him every time down the floor every chance we could," Haith said. "We put Kim on him, put Matt on him, put Ricardo on him, trying to keep him off-balance a little bit. He's such a tough matchup. He has great vision. When he catches the ball in the post or he goes off the bounce, he's a great passer. I thought it was a key to keep him off-balance."

DENMON CLIMBS LIST: With 14 points last night, Denmon passed Clarence Gilbert and tied Kelly Thames for seventh place on Missouri's career scoring list with 1,689. He needs nine more points to pass Melvin Booker for sixth place. Arthur Johnson is in reach at No. 5 with 1,759 career points.

The top four all-time scorers should be safe. They are Derrick Chievous (2,580), Doug Smith (2,184), Anthony Peeler (1,970) and Steve Stipanovich (1,836).

TIGER EXTRAS: We've long since passed midseason, but Denmon and Phil Pressey were among 30 players named to the Naismith Award midseason watch list yesterday. The other Big 12 players on the list are Baylor's Perry Jones III, Kansas' Thomas Robinson and Iowa State's White. … Former Missouri football standout and current San Francisco 49er Aldon Smith watched the game at Mizzou Arena last night.